Couples who face difficulty getting pregnant naturally rely on infertility treatments, such as IVF. While the treatment has been proven quite effective for many couples, the IVF success rates in Lahore are not the same for all. The number varies greatly by different factors, one of which is age. In fact, female age is considered the biggest factor determining IVF’s success.

IVF is developed to overcome many challenges that can interfere with your ability to conceive. Unfortunately, no medical technology can make your eggs younger. With age, the quality and quantity of female eggs tend to decline. 

This change occurs gradually, but once the egg quantity declines, it can’t be restored. That’s why fertility specialists at the IVF center in Lahore recommend that women start infertility treatment early or freeze their eggs to have the best possible chance at conception. In this post, we will take a look at how female age affects the success rate of IVF.

How Female Fertility Changes With Age

Here’s a friendly explanation of the impact of age on female fertility.

Ovarian Reserve Reduction

A girl child is born with ovarian reserve, which contains a fixed number of eggs, around 1-2 million. By puberty, the egg count reduces to 300,000 to 400,000. These eggs continue to decline with age. This loss speeds up once you reach the mid-30s. 

Egg Quality

Along with egg quantity, egg quality also tends to decline with age. In fact, age can damage the quality of the egg faster and more aggressively than the quantity. Women above 40 might have fewer healthy embryos, which could help achieve a normal pregnancy. A majority of them have age-related genetic errors, which can’t be reversed.

IVF Success Rates by Female Age Group

Before we discuss IVF success rates in Lahore, it’s important to note that no clinic can promise a 100% success rate or any guaranteed result for any age group. How likely you are to succeed depends on many factors apart from age. However, the standard success rates are greatly influenced by your age. Here’s a clear breakdown.

Under 30 Years

The IVF success outcome for women under 30 years is the highest. Because you are young, your egg count and quality are better. This automatically improves your chances of conceiving after a successful embryo transfer. 

Age 30-34 Years

Your egg count starts declining, but the outcome is still favorable. With a proper lab environment and an embryologist’s support, many women conceive within fewer cycles.

Age 35–37 Years

Egg quantity and quality continue to decline. Women who haven’t yet considered pregnancy should now discuss possible fertility options, such as cryopreservation, with IVF specialists in Lahore. A further decline in the egg quantity and quality can drop your success rates.

Age 38–40 Years

The decline in egg quality and quantity accelerates after 35. Women between 38 and 40 years of age may need multiple IVF cycles and careful embryo selection, as the risk of poor embryo development increases for this age group.

Above 40 Years

Your egg reserve and quality have significantly diminished, making IVF less favorable. A majority of eggs in women above 40 years might have chromosomal defects or other genetic errors, increasing the risk of miscarriage, pre-term birth, and birth defects.

Why IVF Success Rates Vary Even at the Same Age

As mentioned earlier, the success rates for IVF treatment in Lahore depend on many factors, and age is just one of them. It’s possible that two women of the same age group might have different outcomes. Here are the common factors that influence your IVF results.

• Ovarian Reserve: The ovarian reserve, i.e., the quantity of eggs, can differ in two women of the same age group for many medical reasons. Women with a normal egg count have a higher success rate, while those with low AMH may have fewer viable eggs.
• Lifestyle Factors: Certain lifestyle factors, such as being underweight or overweight or chronic stress, can affect hormonal balance and thus ovulation. Smoking is also linked to reduced ovarian response.
• Underlying Medical Conditions: The success rate might also differ for women with underlying medical conditions, such as PCOS, endometriosis, and hormonal disorders, and for women who are overall healthy.
• Male Factor Infertility: Even if the egg quality and quantity are good, the developing embryo might have defects if there is male-factor infertility. Poor sperm quality or weak sperm might negatively affect the IVF success rate.
• Lab Quality: Choosing a reputable and ISO-certified IVF clinic in Lahore matters because lab quality can also affect your success rate. How well fertilization occurs and the embryo develops depend on the embryologist’s experience in handling gametes, technical infrastructure, lab quality, and culture systems.

Medical Tests That Predict IVF Success at Different Ages

IVF specialists run these tests to predict your chances of conception after an IVF cycle. Based on the results, they might personalize the treatment plan for you.

• AMH Test: Anti-Mullerian Hormone Test shows your ovarian reserve.
• Antral Follicle Count (AFC): Shows the number of resting follicles and the number of eggs that can be retrieved.
• Hormonal Profile: Hormone tests show the levels of FSH, LH, and Estradiol. FSH reflects ovarian reserve, LH supports ovulation assessment, and estradiol indicates baseline ovarian activity.

Role of Advanced IVF Labs in Improving Age-Related Outcomes

Although it’s not possible to reverse aging, a fertility specialist can help use the remaining eggs effectively, making pregnancy more likely. Remember, lab quality matters as much as your age here. Here’s what you can expect from an advanced IVF center in Lahore.

Sophisticated Embryo Culture

An incubator that mimics the environment of your uterus and the fallopian tubes is essential. The lab should have good ventilation, a controlled environment, and stable oxygen and temperature. Besides, a time-lapse monitoring system can allow embryologists to monitor the growth of embryos without taking them out or exposing them to environmental stress.

Blastocyst Transfer

The implantation rates are higher for embryos that are transferred into the uterus at the blastocyst stage, i.e, when the egg turns into a ball of 100-200 cells. Mostly, healthy embryos that have the potential to grow normally reach the blastocyst stage. So, a good lab provides an environment for these embryos to grow normally for 5-6 days, improving the success rate of implantation.

Vitrification

For women who want to delay embryo transfer, a lab equipped with modern egg freezing technology can fulfill their needs. Vitrification can make IVF more favorable, as it provides rapid freezing, preventing ice crystal formation. The technology offers a high preservation rate.

Preimplantation Genetic Screening

For women above 35 or 40, a PGT-A test is a highly effective part of IVF. The test helps select the chromosomally healthiest embryo, thus increasing the success of implantation and a healthy pregnancy. 

Common Myths About Age & IVF 

Despite the growing popularity of assisted reproductive technology, many families in Lahore are skeptical about IVF. That’s mainly because of the myths we hear often. 

Myth 1: IVF works the same for all ages 

Fact: Age matters because IVF uses your eggs. If the quality of these eggs is poor, the fertilized embryo won’t implant or survive.

Myth 2: You can conceive in a single IVF cycle

Fact: While many younger women have been able to conceive in a single IVF cycle, others, especially those above 35, may require multiple cycles.

Myth 3: Supplements can reverse egg aging

Fact: Supplements or lifestyle adjustments can maintain egg quality, but they can’t reverse egg aging.

When Should Women in Lahore Consider IVF Based on Age?

If you have been unable to get pregnant naturally after trying, it’s advisable to see a fertility specialist in Lahore for evaluation. Here’s age-wise guidance on when you should seek medical assistance:

• Under 35 years: Need evaluation if you can’t conceive after trying for 12 months
• 35–39 years: Need evaluation if you can’t conceive within 6 months of trying.
• 40+ years: Get fertility tests immediately

Remember, early consultation can make pregnancy through ART more favorable. If you have any concerns regarding fertility or IVF, see an IVF specialist at Australian Concept in Lahore for a thorough evaluation.

FAQs

What is the best age for IVF treatment?

The best age is before 35, as that’s when you have good ovarian reserve and egg quality.

Can IVF success rates improve after 40?

You can rely on alternative options, try multiple IVF cycles with PGT-A or ICSI, but it’s best to have realistic expectations.

Does IVF success in Lahore differ from other cities?

The success rate of IVF depends largely on age, lab quality, overall environment, and doctors’ experience rather than the city.

How many IVF cycles are usually needed by age?

Women under 35 can conceive in 1-2 cycles, while those above 40 might require multiple.

Can lifestyle changes improve IVF success with age?

A healthy lifestyle can improve outcomes, but it can’t reverse damage caused by age.

Is IVF worth trying at 42 or above?

Yes, for many women above 42, IVF can offer hope, especially if they have good ovarian reserve, are overall healthy, and plan to achieve pregnancy.